Putney Swope/Review

The world of advertising is something that has always fascinated me. Making me wonder what exactly goes on behind those closed doors. I have also rarely seen a movie that satirizes the industry so well. Well, Putney Swope would definitely be right up there on that short list. Sure, it's a difficult movie to get and can often make you scratch your head wondering what's going on but you will get what it satirizes and lampoons. Even though figuring out what's happening onscreen might be a different matter.

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Robert Downey Sr. is one of those directors that is often held in high regard in the film community but very few people seem to have watched his movies, including me. Well, I'm glad that I started with Putney Swope. What most people seem to know him as is Iron Man's dad. But he definitely is an influential filmmaker who some of the best directors out there are a fan of. As I said Putney Swope is the first movie of his I watched. And now I'm raring to watch more.

The opening scene sets the tone for the entire movie. Picture this: An old man dressed as a washed up hippy gets off a helicopter. He is greeted with utmost reverence, respect and fear. We realize that he is a marketing person who has come to give his opinion on a new product. It sets the tone immediately. Downey Sr manages mock the test audience who is clueless about a product and how to market it. After giving his review and walking out, there's chaos amongst the board members. Included on the board is Putney Swope (Arnold Johnson) who seems to be the lone voice of reason. In the chaos where they keep on undermining him, they take a while to realize their chairman is dead. They immediately get to voting by secret ballot for a new chairman. The catch is that no one can vote for himself. It reminded me of modern reality TV shows (it could have been one considering how the scene and the movie is often shot like a mockumentary). This scene even ends with a classic reality TV episode like twist. As everybody ends up voting for Putney thinking no one would pick him.

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All this happens in the very first scene. Talk about an opening! Thus begins the saga of Putney Swope and his hijinks to shake up the advertising company. “Rockin the boat is a drag. You got to sink the boat!!” he deadpans in the movie. And that's exactly what happens. Sinking the boat includes, renaming the company "Truth & Soul Inc"and putting a group of radical,mostly black people in charge. As well as shooting some crazy advertisements meant to say something or even nothing. In a span of minutes Putney would look like either a genius or a madman based on the changes in the company and also his tough stance against working with people dealing cigarettes, mouse traps and...toy guns? It is that crazy.

I would be the first person to admit that I'm not familiar with many of the actors in the movie. But that doesn't change the fact that the performances were all excellent. How easy they made it look. Could be they were riding the wave of craziness that is the movie but I loved what I saw.

I also loved the way the whole movie looked. Specifically the switch between black and white photography for the actual movie and then to color for the advertisements the characters are filming. It might not seem that innovative now but I'm sure it was interesting to watch the first time the movie came out.

To be honest, I am not so sure if I got the entire story, especially the ending. But that's okay. It's a movie that has to be experienced. We often love movies deemed culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. Or movies that are in the Criterion collection. Well, Putney Swope checks out on both counts. But there is much more to this movie than that. I would also recommend the interview with Downey Sr with Paul Thomas Anderson. It is a great watch.

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If the movie was ever remade today, the lead would most likely be a popular comedic actor where he manages to change everyone and one up all the prudish old farts. Ending with him finally succeeding in winning the heart of this lady love (hey, did i just describe almost half of Happy Madison productions?).

As much as I shudder thinking about it, I would love not a remake but a behind the scenes making of movie. Much like Mario Van Peebles did with Baadasssss a personal look at the counterculture classic Sweet Sweetback's Baadassss Song directed by his dad Melvin Van Peebles (another of Downey Sr’s contemporaries). In fact I could almost imagine Robert Downey Jr. playing his father in it. Now THAT would be an interesting film. Maybe even as much as this one.

Alif Majeed is a contributor to Grindhouse Cinema Database. You can find a list of all his reviews HERE.